The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-04
"A Pugilistic Encounter Between
Breckenridge and Blount.
The Democratic Senators Preparing
to Seat Their Friends.
The House Republicans Nominate
Reed, Of Maine, for Speaker.
A New Proposition as to River and
Harbor Appropriations.
The Biennial Shifting Of Seats by the
acknowledgements of the Pass
age of an International
Copyright Bill, Etc.
spcolnl Dispatch to the Anncnl.

Special Dispatch to the Appeal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-The corridors Of
the House wing OF the capitol were crowd
ed tonight, at the hour for the assembling
OF the Democratic caucus, and the interest
manifested was very keen. 1t all ccntered
in the race for doorkeeper, none OF the
candidates for the other places having
opposition. The headquarters Of Capt
Donelson were in the rooms Of the COM
mittee on rivers and harbors, those OF Mr.
Raine in that of the military committee,
those OF Maj Hurt in that Of the ways and
means committee, and those OF Mai. Reed
er in still rear room, large enough, how
ever, to contain his outside adherents.
The crowd pressed bither and thither, and
gathered in the room OF first one candidate
and then another.
The attendance at the caucus was unusual
lylarge, there being 100 out Of 1917 members
present. Mr.. Cox, OF New York, presided.
The name OF Mr.. Carlisle for speaker
was presented by Mr.. Breckenridge, OF
Kentucky, and on motion Of Mr.. Sow
den, Of Pennsylvania, friend OF Mr..
Randall, the nomination was made by ac-
clamation.
Then followed the nomination Of Gen.
Clark, OF Mississippi, for clerk by acclama-
ton.
Next in order was the doorkeepership,
and when II was bulletined TO the thnng
in the corridors that the nominations were
being made for that office, the excitement
rose with the occasion. Capt. Donelson was
nominatedb by Congressman Washington, Of
Nashville; Mr.. Raines by Bourke Cochran,
and Gen. Pat Collins, OF Massachusetts,,
followed for the same candidate; Mai.
Hurt, by Congressman Barry, OF Mississippi;
Capt. House, Of Michigan, by Congressman
Tarsney OF that State, and Maj. Reeder, of
Pennsylvania, by member from that
State. Mr.. Breckenridge, OF Arkansas,
took the floor and made an earnest, almost
an impassionate speech against Donelson,
whom he characterized us unworthy TO
hold the office.
Mr.. Blount, Of Georgia, took the floor in
reply 10 Mr.. Breckenridge, and spoke as
warmly in behalf OF Mr.. Donelson as the
facts would warrant.
During the course OF his remarks, Mr..
Blount tauntingly and pointcdly said 10
Mr.. Breckenridge:
"The gentleman from Arkansas makes
this fierce attack upon Mr. Donelson be-
cause lac has candidate oi his own in the
race"
Alr. Breckenridge replied very ciyilly
that he had stated in his speech that he
had no candidate whatever for the posi-
ton.
Mr.. Blount repeated his statement with
sncering emphasis, whepupon Mr.. Brock
enridge replied: you, then, charge me
with dishonomblc conductY
Mr.. Blount, thinking, MS he aiterward
explained, that Mr. Breckenridge accused
him (Bount) OF dishonomblc conduct,
struck savagcly at the Arkansas member.
who happened TO be standing In the aisle
beside him.
Mr.. Breckenridge cleyerly caught the
blow ON his left arm aud countcmcicd
upon the GcOria's members cheek, lcay-
ing q wcll-dcfned cut. Having got In the
firt lick. Mr.. Breckenridge, who il much
smaller in weight and stature than Mr.
Blount, and who was educated in
his younger DAYS for the church
militant, seized his adversary
by the head with the evident intention Of
forcing the fight, and adjacent members
separated them After Mr.. Blount had
learned the true character Of Mr. Brcckcn-
ridges remarks he apologizcd to the meet.
ing for his ppcipitancy
After this little diversion Mr.. Blount
continued with his remarks, the rest Of
the proceedings being characterized by
extreme bitterness.
Mr.. Herbert, Of Alabama, spoke In Mr..
Hurts behalf, and Mr.. Washington, OF
Tennessee closed the discussion with AN
appeal Tor Mr. Donclson.
A vote WIS then taken, and II was an
nounced that Hurt had received % votes,
Donclson Il, Rccdcr 4, House . and
Raines -
Before the rest Of the vote was declared,
Mr.. Bourke Cochran, Of New York,
changed his vote from Raines 10 Hurt.
Breckenridge and Mcliae, OF Arkansas
who had voted for Raincs, followed suit, rs
did also ErmenirOut, who had voted iol
Reedcr, the Michigan delegation, who had
voted for House, and Cotcs Of North Caro-
lima, Lawlcr Of Illinois, and kilgorc oI
Texas, who had voted for Donclson.
The vote was then announced as stand.
ing IS for Hurt, GO for Donelson and
for Reeder. whcrcupOn there was n gen
cral stampede tor Hurt, who was declared
unanimously nominated.
The other old officers, Postmaster Dial.
ton and Chaplain Alilburni were nomi'
mated by acclamaiion.
The four Louisiana members present
Newton, Blanchard, Logan and Robertson
and all the Mississippi delegation, ox'
cept Mr.. Morgan, voted for Mr.. Hurt
MIR. Carlisle voted for Donclson and Mr.
Randall for Raincs.
Mr.. Hurt Is thirty.thrce years old, q
native Of Carroll county, Miss. lie was IN
the Mississippi Legislature In 1873, and
was clerk Of the House posiofice commit
tee. under Mr. Money, Of Missis
sipr in tho Forty.sixth and
Foriy.cighth congresses. In the
Torty.seycnth he was clerk Ia
Inc sccrctary's Office OF the Senate. In
the spring Of 1856 he was appointed super
inlcndcnt Of railway mail adjustment IL
the postonicc department, which position
lac today holds. lie is a gentleman Of un